Timeless Reflections!

I just went through the post by IHM regarding the trivialization of sexual abuses against women. It is indeed so pathetic, the fact that our society can still laugh at sexual abuses, and even worse, find a sadistic pleasure in victimizing the ill-fated. "Inviting trouble", " Provocative Dressing" - phrases to justify the heinous crime of sexual abuse? I fail to understand, why does the society pay no heed to the serious offense against women? Why does it become a social stigma, to fight for oneself and one's rights and ideals? The so called educated people would rather ignore and avoid facing such an issue. Imagine the fate of those people in the rural areas of the country, where exploitation is almost like a routine incident. Pathetic, ain't this society where we dwell in? I know that typing out a few words of disgust and anger, doesn't help. But, maybe, it can give a perspective to someone who hasn't thought of this ever. Someone who's been lucky enough to have never come across this. And for the sake of public awareness, I'd like to share a true event, that I have been destined to witness.

Being a part of the medical fraternity, I have come across quite a lot of cases of sexual abuses, brought into our Hospital. Some, that have been out in public, and some, that hasn't. It was in the third year of college, during a ward posting at OBS-GYN, that I came across a case of brutal rape. The victim ( I shall call her K), K, a child of mere 11, was brought into the ER, with a case of severe injuries. I remember being there, witnessing the entire procedure. Her frail little body was torn apart, by the brutal assault by her 71 year old grandfather. The girl was brought in unconscious, with abrasions and concussions all over. We were at a loss initially, not knowing how to handle something so traumatic. We were just required to take case history and stuff, as a part of our curriculum. But watching, was traumatic enough.

The entire medical evaluation took a few hours. For, the lesions and bruises had been severe. Apart from genital injuries , the extra genital injuries included a broken rib and acute pancreatitis. After hours of cleaning and stitching up, she was moved into the Post-Operative ICU. I remember going to the canteen after the procedure, to have something to drink. But none of us ever uttered a word, nor could we even take a sip of water. The terror and the trauma, we suffered witnessing the event, is still fresh. I still remember the events so sickening.

After a week, she was moved to the general ward, and for the first time I saw her conscious, during one of the rounds with the residents. We, the students, are required to select a few cases according to our preference and take detailed a case history of each- which includes the personal history of the patient, the symptoms, conditions, vital stat tests and then come to a conclusion regarding the diagnosis and the treatment. And in most cases, there erupts serious fights for any case out of the ordinary. It was just the same here too. Every student wanted this case, and the constant ruthless questioning and re accounting of the traumatic events made some of us sick. Finally, after a lot of conversations(read- cat fights), we managed to stop these sessions of torture. As though she could tolerate more of trauma, esp by the so called healers.

I know that the physical injuries fade away with time. But what of the acute mental and emotional damage, that has befallen upon the victim, a child, no more than 11. The age when one learns, and builds one's personality and future, has been snatched away from this little girl.And the one who she had trusted to be family, has ripped away her self respect, her dreams, her future. And yet, she has to go back to the rat hole, as though, nothing ever happened. How sick, is that?

K, told some of us that she wants to go back to school, and that her mother has asked her to forget the event, and go back to the very same house where her grandfather stays. I couldn't utter a word. How is anyone expected to forget such an incident? How could anyone wipe it away? And worse, how could any mother ask her child to walk right back into danger? Despite the counseling sessions and the promise of help by NGO's, the mother refused to move K out of the house. And, I remember having to watch the little girl leave hospital after a few weeks, with the same insane and inhumane, pervert S-O-B grandfather(Can't help the abusive language. Animals like him can't be addressed as anything but that). I still can't forget the look on her face, when she was leaving the hospital.

For those wondering, a case was indeed registered by the police. But the victim and her family never agreed to file a case, in person though.

Some of these experiences makes one lose all faith in humanity, if something of that sort, ever does exist. But after a while, everything sinks back into the hidden folds of memory. And none but the victims, would remember something of this sort had happened, once. That is I guess, human nature... And despite of all the guilt and anger I'd felt then wasn't reminded of K, until today, when I read IHM's post. And, once again that guilt and hurt, has surfaced. But I know, sadly, it wouldn't last long.

Shameless, ain't we??